"...by labouring with all the might of his body and the faculty of his whole soul, ... did once more establish peace in the land" (Words of Mormon 1:18)

As thoughts of soul expanding experiences have been on my mind, the words of this scripture took on new meaning for me. "Wherefore, with the help of these [holy men], king Benjamin, by labouring with all the might of his body and the faculty of his whole soul, and also the prophets, did once more establish peace in the land" (Words of Mormon 1:18).

As a mother, I have been given the help of  holy men and women, such as sisters, brothers, friends, leaders, parents, grandparents, teachers, bishops, and so many more people to help me establish peace. I have labored "with all the might of [my] body and the faculty of [my] whole soul..." to establish peace in our home. Think about these words, faculty of the whole soul. It's with the entirety of our souls that we do all we can to help lift and strengthen the family of God.

As a parent, I do use "all the might of my body" to help my family be united and strengthened in God's love. I do know what true peace, even the "peace of God, which passeth all understanding" (Philippians 4:7), feels like and I want my children to feel it, too. I don't know of any parent that doesn't seek and strive to maintain peace in their homes.

And then the words: "...faculty of  his whole soul..." (Words of Mormon 1:18). This phrase caught my attention. Faculty means: "1) an ability, natural or acquired, for a particular kind of action: a faculty for making friends easily. 2) one of the powers of the mind, as memory, reason, or speech: Though very sick, he is in full possession of all his faculties. 3) an inherent capability of the body: the faculties of sight and hearing. 4) exceptional ability or aptitude: a president with a faculty for management."
Nephi said this about "faculty": 

• "Wherefore, I, Nephi, did exhort them to give heed unto the word of the Lord; yea, I did exhort them with all the energies of my soul, and with all the faculty which I possessed, that they would give heed to the word of God and remember to keep his commandments always in all things" (1 Nephi 15:25).

  To me, this sounds very much like the soul expanding experience of a mother trying to teach her children to learn of God, to put their trust in God. It's the soul expanding experience that comes as I teach my children to repent and keep the commandments because they love God more than the fear of not knowing everything.  I know this, because I do believe I use all the faculties I possess, even those of love, of patience, of hearing the still small voice of the Spirit...I use every single faculty so that my "children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins" (2 Nephi 25:26). 
• • 
    
  • I can tell you that every day is worth the effort. Every day, all the small things, they do add up and make "great things come to pass" (Alma 37:6). I'm writing this for myself, because I find it too easy to forget that all those small things do make all the difference. All of my efforts, using all my faculties, and all my might, is soul expanding- not just their souls, but my soul as well. Keep up the "Great Work" (Alma 26:3, D&C 64:33)! It's totally worth all the effort. This I testify.
    

    

    The small things in life add up and truly expand my soul.

"...by small and simple things are great things brought to pass..." (Alma 37:6)

Day #20

I am so grateful for this scripture because I sometimes try and do just a little too much or think I am not doing enough... Here's the scripture:

"Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise." (Alma 37:6)

I love how Alma begins by saying one might think he is sharing foolishness. Sometimes I catch myself thinking that my small effort is foolish, or won't make a "big" difference, so I hold back. I'm working on doing it anyway.

In our society of "more is better" I sometimes get tripped up thinking I am not doing enough as I take care of our family and myself. This scripture helps me remember that every effort counts. It's not about how much I can or can't do. But rather, it's about doing the small things that "bring about great things." (1 Nephi 16:29)

I have a couple of  small seeds that I keep to remind me that God starts a tree from a small seed. We have a lot of "seeds" to plant as we go about doing the "small and simple things". Perhaps if we plant enough seeds we will "confound the wise".

"Feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do" (2 Nephi 32:3)

My awesome husband had asked me for several weeks to remember to turn the cold water off in our shower so it wouldn't drip. I kept forgetting. I finally asked him to leave me a note. This is what he left me:

My husband loves me and leaves me little notes...

It is a simple way to help me remember to turn off the cold water "a little more" after showering. I have learned that even though the note is right in front of my face on the mirror, unless I take the time to read it, I don't remember to do it.

I need "notes" to help me remember to do small things that make life better, to accomplish tasks, or to help my children (just to name a few items of which I need help remembering). I am always telling my family, "Leave me a note or I won't remember".

As I was looking at the various notes I have stuck everywhere from my children and my husband to help me remember things I need to do, I realized that God leaves me little notes, too. The trick is, I must read them. These little notes from God are throughout the scriptures. I love getting notes from God. Here are just a few of the notes that have come to mean a lot to me:

" For the natural man is an enemy to God...unless he yields to the enticings of the holy Spirit..." (Mosiah 3:19)

"If ye love me, keep my commandments" (John 14:15)

"For with God nothing shall be impossible" (Luke 1:37)

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" (John 14:27)

"Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not" (D&C 6:36) 

"...by small and simple things are great things brought to pass..." (Alma 37:6)

"If ye are prepared ye shall not fear" (D&C 38:30) 

"Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great" (D&C 64:33)

We all need help remembering, but to be reminded with a note only helps if we read the note. I think Nephi said it pretty well: "Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do" (2 Nephi 32:3). God is talking to us, we just need to read His words and then "go and do" (1 Nephi 3:7). This I testify.

"Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great" (D&C 64:33)

I have become very aware of the fact that most of my days have a similar ring or flare to them. I do scripture study, I exercise, I help my family, laundry always piles up. I make dinner and pretty much I do these same activities every day. So when someone asks how are things going or what's new, I think, nothings new and everyday is pretty much the same. I do like it when things are calm and life is pretty predictable. I like that I can count on only having to deal with small bumps in the road during the day (most of the time, so that when the big bumps come I am more prepared). But sometimes I think that I am hardly doing anything and when I had that thought today this scripture came clearly to my mind and truly touched my heart: "Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great" (D&C 64:33). Even though I didn't do anything different or out of the ordinary I realized that I am doing good. And that's great!

When we feel like our days are the same and we aren't making any difference, remember, it is out of the small things that great things happen (see Alma 37:6). When the laundry keeps piling up (and it does) and the dinners might seem like the same old recipes (and they are) and the time driving our children here and there and everywhere seems to take up all our "spare" time (and it does) remember that we are "well-doing" and we are "laying the foundation of a great work". God's children, our families, and our relationships that span the eternities is the great work! God wants us to be together forever. When we take the time to fold clothes with our children and listen to them, gather together for dinner and share about our day, or listen in the car about what they are interested in or perhaps frustrated with, we are laying the foundation of a great work, even the great work of an eternal family. As Paul said to the Galatians, "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not" (Gal. 6:9).

Today was pretty similar to all my other days. And you know what? It was a day of great work and I am so grateful I got to spend my time "in well-doing". Keep up the great work! You're doing amazing things. This I testify.

I got to hang out while my son put together...well-doing.

Putting on the rain cover

Hammock hung and son inside...great work!